Acylation of Mucor pusillus microbial rennet enzyme

Abstract

A method for increasing the milk coagulating activity of microbial rennet obtained from Mucor pusillus microorganisms. The method involves acylating Mucor pusillus microbial rennet enzyme with maleic, citraconic, phthalic, cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic, homophthalic, 3-nitro-phthalic, bromomaleic or dichloromaleic anhydride.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for increasing the milk coagulating activity of microbial enzyme obtained from Mucor pusillus micro-organisms comprising acylating in an aqueous medium said enzyme by contacting the Mucor pusillus microbial rennet enzyme at a temperature of about 0° to 25° C. and a pH of about 5 10 with from 0.1 to 2 percent (w/v) based on enzyme volume of an acylating agent selected from the group consisting of maleic, citraconic, phthalic, cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic, homophthalic, 3-nitrophthalic, bromomaleic and dichloromaleic anhydride for a time sufficient to obtain said desired increase. 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the acylating agent is maleic anhydride.